THE DUTCH EAST INDIES 
99 
their character lies a material and sensuous element; for 
them the joanem et circenses argument has irresistible 
attractions; they are satisfied with their rice, fish, and 
betel, which they easily earn as careful agriculturists and 
skilful mariners. If to these blessings be added an occa¬ 
sional exhibition of dancing girls, a concert, a visit to the 
play-house, or a cock-fight, they are more than rewarded, 
and think no longer of revolting. The natives even thrive 
under the system, as shown by the enormous increase of 
the population. That of Madura, for instance, rose from 
393,426 in 1856 to 676,818 in 1871, thus almost 
doubling itself in fifteen years. It will also be readily 
allowed that the condition of affairs in the districts under 
Dutch rule is far superior to that of the native states, 
where the old barbarous systems of slavery, piracy, and 
spoliation still flourish unrestrained. 
3. System of Government of Netherlands India. 
At the head of the Dutch East Indies is a Governor- 
General with the authority of a viceroy. He is supreme 
commander of the land and sea forces, with the right of 
declaring peace and war, and concluding treaties with the 
native princes and peoples, within the limits of his in¬ 
structions from the Home Government. He is aided by 
a council of five of the higher officials, who are nominated 
by himself. The colonies are divided into two main 
divisions, the first comprising Java with Madura, the 
second the so-called external possessions (Buitenbezit- 
tingen), that is, all the other possessions and tributary 
states. They are further subdivided into “ Residencies 55 and 
“ Governments.” In Java there are twenty-one of these 
provinces, each of which is administered by a “ Resident.” 
